Speaking to the press afterwards, Polancec said they agreed that the Druzba Adria oil pipeline project, the South Stream gas pipeline project, the privatisation of Croatian shipyards, and the renewal of Croatian oil company INA's contract with Gazprom would be discussed at the next meeting of the intergovernmental commission in Russia in the second half of November.

Polancec said positions on Druzba Adria could be re-examined if Russia was still interested in the project.

Shoigu said the South Stream project had already been ratified in Bulgaria and Serbia, and that he saw no obstacles to its implementation in Croatia.

Speaking of the INA-Gazprom contract, which expires at the end of 2010, Polancec said Croatia had requested a renewal of the contract and additional quantities of gas. He added that Croatia purchased 1.17 billion cubic metres of gas per year and would like to import 2.5 billion as of 2011.

Originally published by HINA news agency, Zagreb, in English 0726 23 Sep 08.